EXISTALE 1: Theist's Thesis

Chapter 3: History Class

"CLANG!" 

The reverberating clash echoed throughout the entire class as the woman held two shining swords in front of her, their gleaming blades emitting light like miniature suns.

"You see, my children," she began, her voice commanding attention. "Neither of them broke when I clashed one against the other."

She dropped both of them simultaneously, but they faded away before reaching the floor.

"Anyone know why?" she inquired, raising her hand, scanning the room for a response.

Felix's hand shot up eagerly from the back of the class.

"Yes, Felix," the teacher acknowledged.

"Because you manifested both of them," Felix explained confidently. "The strength of a memorizer's construct depends on the faith that the memorizer has. Since both of them came from you, neither of them break because they have the exact same strength."

"Well done! Let's give him a round of applause," she praised, smiling at Felix.

The sound of hands clapping echoed mildly throughout the entire class.

"My children, that is one of the reasons why you must strengthen your faith," she continued, addressing the class. "It makes you stronger, as we've just demonstrated. Now, let's return to the main subject of today."

"Ah, I hate history," Arian groaned. "Though that was pretty smart of you to answer. She won't know that you're not actually paying attention."

Felix retrieved his book from the desk hole. It was full of numbers and equations.

Arian peeked at Felix's book. "Yeah, I hate that even more. How could anyone have the stomach to read that?"

"Next time she asks a question," Felix started, his eyes locked on the pages. "Raise your hand."

"Whatcha reading anyway?"

"I'm reviewing yesterday's training session. I may have miscalculated on my throw."

Arian's eyes widened. "Woah, you were thinking numbers when you threw that pebble?"

"Yeah," Felix nodded. "The equation is right here. It's called the 'Parabola Formula'. You should give it a shot."

"Heh, you could've been an athlete with that skill," Arian teased.

"Aren't you supposed to read something too?" Felix changed the topic.

"Nah, I'm not in the mood right now," Arian sighed.

"What's wrong?"

"Remember the 'Olivia' character I told you about a few days ago?"

"What about her?"

"The ending sucked," Arian lamented, clenching his fist. "It's not fair for her to die at the end, after all the hard work she's done to better herself. There's absolutely no resolution to the story whatsoever."

"Hold on, you said you wouldn't spoil it for me," Felix complained.

"It's not worth reading anyway. The author is such a terrible writer," Arian remarked with disdain.

"Well..." Felix was at a loss for words, his attention shifting back to the teacher.

"... they had to blow up the other half of the planet. But no matter how hard the infidels tried, they couldn't defeat those protected by God. In the end, they sought refuge in the sky, leaving Ardos in the hands of Theophiles."

Most of the students nodded in agreement, some furiously jotting down notes.

"That historical event alone should have strengthened your faith. We must be grateful to God, for He has destined us to rule half of Ardos to prosperity."

"Miss Sabille," Felix raised his hand.

"Yes, Felix?"

"Don't you think it's better to convert them to Theophilism instead of fighting them?"

"Good question! Does anyone know the answer?" She raised her hand again, scanning the class for a response.

A girl raised her hand.

"Yes, Ruma?" Miss Sabille acknowledged.

"They tried to convert them, but the infidels refused to accept God," Ruma explained. "According to the Nekasroph, we must fight our enemies unless they acknowledge God. In this case, they didn't."

"Couldn't we find a way to convince them in a way they can accept?" Felix rebutted.

"Some sources state that they cannot be dealt with," Ruma argued, "for their hearts are as cold as stone. They are unable to open their hearts and believe in God."

"Then why don't we reason with them in a way that they can understand to open their hearts once more? War could've been avoided. We could've saved the entirety of this planet. God won't change a thing before we try everything. Isn't that what the Nekasroph teaches?" Felix argued passionately.

"They tried, Felix. Don't you dare speak of The Nekasroph like that while you still haven't memorized the entire thing," Ruma retorted, narrowing her eyes.

"In any case," Sabille intervened, "God has given us half of this world. He has destined us to live and prosper, and we must be forever grateful."

Felix leaned against the wall, his gaze drifting out the window beside him.

"Sheesh, tough luck, man," Arian commented. "Since when did you start caring about this class anyway?"

"Shame," Felix declared, "Things could've been much better if they had just tried to understand each other better."

"You know what they say," Arian chuckled lightly, "It is what it is."

Felix shook his head, "No, I think we can do something about it." He glanced out the window once more, as if seeking inspiration from the world beyond the classroom walls.

Arian raised an eyebrow, "You mean, rewrite history?"

Felix smiled faintly. "I meant we continue from where they left off."

Confusion creased Arian's brow. "I don't get it."

Felix turned to his friend, expression serious. "You still upset about the Olivia thing?"

Arian's shoulders tensed slightly at the mention of the novel. "Kinda, why?"

"Would you be less upset if the author decides to write a sequel that addresses the previous novel?"

"Maybe."

"Exactly." Felix remarked with enthusiasm.

"Alright, alright, I get your point," Arian nodded thoughtfully, "But how exactly are we gonna execute the plan?"

"We learn how they think," Felix explained, "Once we've got a grasp of understanding, we talk with them."

Arian's smile widened. "Sounds like a plan."

"Though," Arian's smile faltered. "I'm still not in the mood to read anything."

"Okay then. Let's do something fun after class."

"Wait, aren't we supposed to memorize some verses after class?" Arian reminded, "Gunther isn't gonna be happy about this."

"Remember that one time you told me you wanna know how a radio works?"

"You sure?" Arian's eyes brightened, "Thought you don't like machinery."

"Well, if that's a good start to a change then let's do it."